| Author Title Journal |
Thielicke M, Sluys R (2019) Prey capture and feeding behaviour in an endemic land flatworm from Sao Tome Island. Journal of Natural History, Vol 53(23-24): 1385-1393 |
Abstract / Notes
"Two specimens of the endemic land flatworm species Othelosoma impensum Sluys&Neumann, 2017 from the volcanic island Sao Tome were observed in the wild in Obo-National Park while they were preying on ants that had descended on a tree trunk after their nuptial flight. A maximum of 41 ants were assembled in a cluster by one of the flatworms, the insects being immobilised by mucus secreted by the worms. A strong cephalic retractor muscle facilitated capture of the mobile prey. Presence or absence of similar cephalic adaptations in other species of Othelosoma and other genera of land flatworms is discussed, as well as the effectiveness of the sticky mucus secreted by the worms during prey capture."| Home page -- (Main hierarchy) |